WMG TAPS GOOGLE EXEC AS DIGITAL CHIEF

Former Google exec Carletta Higginson has joined Warner Music Group as EVP/chief digital officer. She will oversee WMG’s digital partnerships and explore commercial innovation.

She starts Monday (10/16) and will report to WMG CEO Robert Kyncl, who said: “It’s rare to find someone of Carletta’s multifaceted expertise—who understands the full scope of the music publishing and recorded music businesses as well as the dynamics of streaming, social media and AI. She has great commercial instincts, a sharp legal mind and a collaborative approach to building well-aligned partnerships. As we pioneer the future of music with our artists and songwriters, she’ll be an invaluable addition to our senior management team.”

Higginson spent a decade at Google, most recently as global head of Music Publishing at YouTube and Google Play. Higginson began her career as a securities litigator before specializing in the content, media and entertainment space.

The appointment follows the departure of former Chief Digital Officer Oana Ruxandra, about whom Kyncl said, “Oana’s played a key role in the evolution of WMG and the music business across a wide range of revenue streams and different types of innovation. On behalf of everyone at the company, I’d like to thank her for her many achievements and wish her all the best in her future entrepreneurial endeavors.”